Printing block or form



(No Model.)

A. W. McGURDY 8; F. H. WINES; PRINTING BLOCK 0R FORM.

No. 443,373. Patented Dec. 23, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR \V. MCCURDY AND FREDERICK ll. W'INES, OF \VASHINGTON,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PRINTING BLOCK OR FORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,373, dated December23, 1890.

Application filed June 10, 1890- Serial No. 354,872. (No model.)

and useful Improvements in Printing Blocks or Forms, of which thefollowing is a specification.

Our invention relates to the printing of maps, charts, &c., and moreparticularly such maps as are designed to convey graphically or apartfrom text information of a statistical nature; and it consists in anovel mode of producing, through the use of movable types of irregularoutlines, certain effects which have not hitherto been producedotherwise than by engraving or lithographing.

Dissected maps have been produced by cutting printed maps into pieces bymeans of dies having-outlines corresponding to the boundaries ofpolitical divisions. or embossing type have been made, having upon theirfaces different sections of marks or lines found upon the faces of mapsso drawn as to match at the corners. Colored maps have been printed fromblocks having a portion of the surface cut away, and the portion not socut has been engraved to represent lines, letters, or figures.Rectangular printing-blocks or blocks of other regular outlines andhaving a common unit of measurement have been provided with engravedfaces, so that by combining a number of such blocks an ornamentalbackground or groundwork might be produced. None of these plans,however, comprise the invention which we claim.

It has also been proposed to color maps through the use of a series ofcolor-troughs each containing a movable plate covered with cloth orother elastic substance capable of absorbing coloring-matter, forcingthe rims or boundaries of the troughs into contact with the map to becolored, and, finally, forcing the plates or stamps toward and againstthe face of the map, the non-printing rims or boundaries of .the troughsbeing designed to prevent the colors from meeting and mingling.

Printing The object which we have especially in view is the exhibitionof mathematical or other relations or ratios existing between differentsections of maps, charts, &c., corresponding to facts capable of suchmathematical expression by shading or otherwise, and to accomplish thisin an easyand simple but effective manner by the use of movable types,each of which constitutes an integral and unique portion of the entiredesign, so as to avoid the necessity of printing from blocks containingthe whole of said design, thus reducing to a minimum the amount ofengraving required to exhibit the aforesaid relations. a

In exhibiting the results of a statistical in quiry relating to thepopulation and resources of a country it is often found convenient oradvisable to represent these results graphically upon a map or chart bycoloring or shading different sections of the map according to anarbitrary and predetermined scale, so as to represent the differentfigures or ratios desired. For example, in a statistical maprepresenting the density of population in the United States a certaincolor is or maybe used to represent twenty-five inhabitants to thesquare mile, and other colors to indicate fifty, seventy-five, onehundred, orother nume ber of inhabitants to the square mile, and so ofother statistical matters. Such maps are commonly printed fromlithograph-plates, as many plates being used as there are colorsemployed, each complete map being the product of as many impressions asthere are colors and requiring for its production as many distinctlithograph-plates. By such process from five to ten lithograph-platesare required for the printing of each colored map, and these platescannot be used for the printing of other maps. Moreover, the nicety ofmanipulation necessary to attain a perfect register of the difiercutimpressions renders the operation slow,

larger ratios or numbers to appear darker than the others, or viceversa. For this plan it is customary to employ engraved blocks orplates, each map beingthe product of a single engraved plate instead ofbeing printed from several plates, as is the case where colors areemployed; but this plate is useful only for the particular map intendedand cannot be employed in the production of other maps or mapsdifferently shaded or representing different ratios.

Our invention relates particularly to the printing of statistical mapsfrom blocks or types, each having the shape of some determinate sectionof the country, such as a State or county or township, the face of eachtype being shaded by dots, parallel lines, crosshatchings, or such othermarks as may be used to designate numbers or ratios. The types so shapedare fitted together so as to constitute a dissected map-form in whichthe different determinate divisions are of a form and in a position thereverse of those which they are to occupy in the map to be printed fromthe dissected map-form or printing-form. In other words, the differentsections of the map are composed of types, each a negative from which apositive may be printed, the different types being so shaded or markedon their faces as to represent the particular ratios or numbers desired,according to the scale of shading adopted. The dissected map-form soconstituted is locked up in a printers chase with quadrats of suitableshape and inked in the same manner as an ordinary printing-form. Fromthis form a statistical map can be printed similar to that produced bythe process of engravin Each font of type or printing-blocks willcomprise a series or group of blocks of each of the several forms to berepresented in the design, the several blocks of each group being gradedaccording to the predetermined scale or ratio and provided with lines ordots so spaced or arranged as to graphically indicate the intendedratio.

The method here proposed possesses many advantages over the processes inordinary use, and results in a great saving of labor and expense in theproduction of statistical maps. Itis unnecessary to employ skilleddraftsmen, engravers, or lithographers in the preparation of the map, asan ordinary compositor can set up any desired statistical map from asuitable font of map-type. The labor involved in composing the completemap is less than that involved in setting up an equal page of printedmatter. The type com posing the dissected map-form can be redistributedand used againin the composition of other maps, so that a great savingof material is effected. Other advantages will readily suggestthemselves to those familiar with such matters. While the bodies of thetypes are soshaped as to fit accurately together, it is not necessarythat the faces of the type should fit so closely as to connect the linesof junction. A slight space between the edges 'of the faces may beadvantageous, as the outlines of the States, counties, or townshipsrepresented by the type will then appear upon the printed map. So, too,a boundary-line for each State or indicated division may be producedupon the map by forming the blocks with a raised border or outline flushwith and constituting a part of the printing-face.

The essential features of this portion of our invention consist in theuse of printing blocks or types having the shapes of the differentsections of the country and capable of being fitted together after themanner of a dissected map and in the employment of several sets orgroups of types so shaped, each set or group having faces shaded torepresent some number or ratio, according to a scale of shadingdetermined upon. .For example, most, if not all, of the statistical mapsnow produced by the process of engraving could be composed or set up byten sets or groups of map-type, each group having a different shading,which we may designate by the numbers 1 to 10. If, then, it be desiredto compose a statistical map of the United States of type each havingthe shape of some particular State or Territory, we should then requirea set or group of type, the faces of each bearing shade No. 1, fromwhich a dissected mapform of the United States could be composed,

having the uniform shading No. l, and another group or set of type withshading No. 2, from which could be constructed a complete map having auniform shade No. 2, and so through the series. Ten sets or groups oftype would then suflice to construct ten maps of the United States, eachuniformly but differently shaded, from 1 to 10. As the types of each setor group are similarly shaped, they are interchangeable one withanother, so that a complete map can be constructed from types selectedfrom different sets or groups, and a statistical map can be produced inwhich the States and Territories are difierently shaded, so as toindicate any numerical differences that can be represented by tenvarieties of shading.

The nature of this portion of our invention and the manner in which itis reduced to practice will be more clearly understood by reference tothe annexed diagrams, in Which Figure 1 represents a face view of a formprepared for the printing of a statistical map of the United States,omitting Alaska. Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent perspective viewsof a series of printing blocks or types, all representing the State ofFlorida, but each belonging to a different set or group of maptype, theface of each being differently shaded or surfaced. Figs. 8 to 12represent perspective views of printing blocks or types representing theTerritory of \Vyoming, the surfaces of said blocks or types beingprovided with raised printing-points to produce a dotted surface, thepoints being arranged closer on one block or type than on another.

In said drawings, A indicates a form composed of a series of printingblocks or types a, each having a face and body corresponding in outlinewith the outline of a State or Territory of the United States ofAmerica, so that when fitted together in their proper relative positionsthey produce a con- .tinuous printing-surface having the outline ofthem; may bear printing-lines or designs indicating rivers, lakes,mountains, and other formations, together with the names thereof, and ofcities, towns, &c., or, in other words, may bear such matter as iscustomarily printed on maps and charts of this character, or they maybear only the shadings or gradations expressing the desired ratios.

Fig. 2 shows the block with its outer edge or boundary unbroken and typehigh, so that the outline or boundary shall be printed as well as theshading lines or marks.

In Fig. 4 the edge is represented as cut away to form a shoulder, sothat while the bodies of the printing-blocks fit closely together theedges of the printing-faces are slightly separated, thus leaving blanklines upon the printed map to represent the meeting points or boundariesof the different political divisions.

The map-type such as above described may also be used with advantage inthe printing of colored maps. The method at present commonly adopted toproduce such maps is, as before stated, the employment of andsucce'ssive printing from a series of plates or lithograph-stones, eachhaving a printing-surface coextensive and corresponding in form with thepart or parts to be printed in one of the several colors to be used.

l'nder our method of printingcolored maps the compositor will set up amap-form with the map-type, those sections of the map-form that have thesame color being set up with type having printing-surfaces and the restof the form being composed of quadrats or blanks havingfaces below theprinting-surface, thus producing a form the printing surface of whichcan be inked with a particular color, and from this form a map can beprinted by one impression, showing all those sections of the map havingsuch color. A map-form can be set up for each color desired, and thecomplete colored map will be a composite produced by a number ofimpressions, one for each color. This method is applicable not only tothe production of ordinary colored maps, but also to the printing ofstatistical maps in which the diiferent mathematical quantities arerepresented by diiferent colors. It will be observed that wheredifferentcolors are employed the liningor dotting of the surface neednot be made use of, though it is feasible to employ both, and thusinsure greater certainty of indication.

Under the plan first described'that is to say, with the surfaces of theblocks lined or dotted to produce different shadingsas many sets orgroups of types will be required as there are mathematical quantities orratios to be expressed, and the complete map will be printed by a singleimpression in ink of uniform color. Under the second plan-that is tosay, the use of distinctive colors-a single set or group of map-typewillsuffice, and the complete map will be printed by as many differentimpressions in different-col: ored inks as there are differentmathematical quantities or ratios to be printed. It is obvious thatcombinations of these two meth ods are possible, and in some cases mightbe advantageous by reducing the number of impressions and colorsrequired. For example, different shades of blue might be produced bytypes having printing-surfaces in the form of dots, parallel lines, orcross-hatchings closer or farther apart, and all the different shadesmade by one inking. Thus the number of distinct impressions requiredcould be reduced, each colored inking producing various sub-shades ofcolor by the character of the markings upon the printing-surfaces of thetypes. It is also obvious that as the component type are movable itwould be possible to ink each type separately with an ink of suitablecolor, in which case the complete colored map would be produced by oneimpression.

In the production of statistical maps it is sometimes desirable toexhibit, in addition to the statistical facts, details relating. to thetopographical features of the country, such as mountain-ranges, thecourses of the principal rivers, &c., and to indicate also otherdetails, such as the outlines of the political divisions of the country,with their names,

and the position and names of the-principal cities, &c. Those featuresof the map that are not of a statistical nature are mostly features thatwould be common to all the statistical maps that would be requiredrelating to that section of the country. They may therefore beincorporated on an ordinary map-plate and printed upon all thestatistical maps relating to that area of country and printed by aseparate impression; but it is obvious that any desired details may beindicated upon the faces of our map-type in addition to the marking withreference to the mathematical quantity. For example,printed Words,courses of rivers, &c., could be shown by depressed lines in thesurfaces of the type, which would thus appear in white upon the printedmap, and so of canals, railways, &c.

To facilitate the setting up of the type, they may be nicked, after themanner of ordinary type, as shown in Fig. 8.

It will readilybe seen that the uses of such printing types or forms maybe extended to l a variety of fields and subjects, and consequentlywhile we have described our invention as applied to that particularfield in which we deem it of mostim mediate and practical benefit we donot mean thereby to restrict ourselves to the printing of statisticalmaps. It is obvious, for instance, that the plan is applicable to theprinting of railwaymaps, in which case the blocks would or might bedivided on lines other than those of political divisions, and to chartsand other prints in which political divisions may not appear. For thesereasons we wish it understood that the form represented in the drawingsis merely illustrative of the general plan, and is not to be followedarbitrarily either as to the dividing-lines'or as to the grading.

Hitherto it has been the practice, as we understand, to vary the spacingof lines or markings upon statistical maps, so as to produce diiferentshades or tones, but not upon a definite and predetermined mathematicalscale. \Ve, however, preferably and ordinarily adopt a mathematicalscale or ratio of increase of spacing, thickness, or weight of line orthe like, so that there shall be not merely an apparent difference,liable to be differently valued or estimated by persons of difleringeyesight, but a definite and mathematically-ascertained differencesusceptible at all times of measurement and verification, if necessary.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is 1. Separableprinting blocks or types adapted to fit together after the manner of adissected map and bearing upon their faces markings representingmathematical quantities, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. Printing blocks or types having the shapes of political divisions ofa country and adapted to fit together after the manner of a dissectedmap, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. A font of type comprising a series of blocks-or types of irregularoutlines corresponding to diflerent determinate divisions of thecomplete map or chart to be printed and having rigid printing-faces.

4. The combination, with separable maptype having irregular outlines, asherein shown and described, of quadrats or blanks having outlinescorresponding with those of the type and having faces below the generallevel of the printing-surface to facilitate the locking up of the typein an ordinary printers chase.

5. The herein-described method of producing maps or charts, whichconsists in combining or fitting together a series of blocks or types ofirregular outlines corresponding to' diifereut determinate divisions ofthe complete map and having rigid printing-faces, inking the form thusproduced in the ordinary manner of inking a printing-form, and printingtherefrom.

G. The herein-described method of producing statistical maps or charts,which consists in combining or fitting together a series of separableprinting blocks or types, each having an outline corresponding to somepolitical division of the complete map and each having aprinting-surface graded or marked to indicate a definite ratio or valuein the complete design.

7. The herein-described method of producing colored maps or charts,which consists in combining or fitting together separable maptypesv orprinting-blocks or quadrats, each type having a rigid printing-face andan outline corresponding to some political division of the complete map,and thereby producing a printing-surface representing so much of thecomplete design as is to be printed in any one color. I

S. The herein-described method of producing maps, which consists incombining or fitting together printing blocks or types havingrespectively the shapes of political divisions of the countryrepresented and provided with rigid printing-faces, the blocks or typesbeing fitted together after the manner of a dissected map, and printingfrom the form or composite block thus produced.

In witness whereof we hereunto set our hands in the presence of twowitnesses.

ARTHUR W. MGCURDY. FREDK. H. XVINES. Witnesses:

G. S. DRURY, W. W. DODGE.

